Okay, a rare weekend post as I'm going to be taking some holidays this week. Had a few minutes to chat with Pops Mensah-Bonsu Friday night, who is getting more expensive by the game, his agent must be figuring.
He worked out with the Raptors before he signed his 10-day contract with the San Antonio Spurs, but figured the Spurs were the team to sign with because he was familiar with their system as it was the same one used by the Austin Toros the Spurs' D-League affiliate. He figured a good showing on an elite team would have helped his cause this off-season. When they brought in Drew Gooden he came to Toronto, still determined to make his mark, and it's working.
The props for Pops momentum is justifiably building. It's only been a four games, but I've yet to witness the gaping hole in his game that suggests he's a flash in the pan. He's very bright and mature off the floor and will likely fit well in the locker room, I would think. He fills a definite role in terms of the rebounding, shot-blocking,floor-runnng big every team needs. His faux pas after coming down with the rebound off Bosh's free throw is not that surprising given that he said last night that he's never been on the floor in the critical minutes of an NBA game. Calling for timeout was the play to make, but I'm sure he'll know next time. It's more significant that he was able to get that ball. He brings to mind Jerome Williams but without the gimmicks.
I asked him what he would look for in a contract in the off-season -- money, security or playing time, and he didn't hesitate:
"Opportunity," he said. "If I get the opportunity then everything else will fall into place, that's why I came here. I had some other teams -- I'd rather not say who -- that were willing to offer more security, but the opportunity of being able to play here ...I played 28 minutes tonight. I've been in the NBA two or three times and this is the first time I have ever had a chance to be in the critical part of a game. You can't ask for more. I've played double-figure minutes in ever game so far, and I'm a newcomer. Hopefully I'll keep it up and we'll be able to win, and with that in mind everything else will fall in to place."
Pops also told a good story about getting to know Red Auerbach, the legendary Celtics coach and general manager, during his time at George Washington University, where Auerbach was a regular practice visitor:
"He told me basketball stuff. Toldl me things I could do to get better. He said the type of athlete I was he'd never seen at my size. It was a big compliment to me and I've taken it with me and I've always had that in the back of my mind that Red Auerbach thought that of me."
"I knew he was an important person at the time, but when he passed away I was like, 'wow'. I had taken it for granted at first, but not so much later. Once he passed I was like, 'wow', that's Red Auerbach, and I can go so far as to say I had a personal relationship with him."
And finally, I wish I could talk to Rasheed Wallace more. He's flat out entertaining. I asked him if was keeping a close eye on the economy as he enters free agency. This is what he said. Enjoy.
Do you follow the economy?
Hell yeah.
What's your scouting report?
Right now? We got to look out for them bad shooters. There's a lot of bad investments right now. The market is still [messed]up. Oil and gas prices are up and down, depending where you live at.
